Broncos & NFL

Gail McCormick holds a portrait of her husband, John, at her Lake- wood home. John died in November. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

Gail McCormick thought it was appropriate to bring up a point in Broncos history and the part that her late husband, John McCormick, played in it.

McCormick was a quarterback from Massachusetts and joined the Broncos early in the 1963 season after leaving the Minnesota Vikings.

The Broncos were phasing out Frank Tripucka, and coach Jack Faulkner added McCormick to his stable of quarterbacks that included Mickey Slaughter and Don Breaux.

The Broncos were only 2-11-1 in 1963, their fourth season. But McCormick contributed to both victories, including a record-setting first start against the San Diego Chargers.

After playing in a 14-10 victory Sept. 29, 1963, against the Boston Patriots, McCormick made his first start for Denver the next week against the Chargers. The Broncos won 50-34, setting a team scoring record that was broken Sept. 29 this season when Peyton Manning led the Broncos past the Philadelphia Eagles 52-20.

"Fifty years is a long time for a record to stand, and I thought John should get some recognition," Gail McCormick said. "We talked about it over the years, but John never was one to boast about what he did. He was glad that it was Peyton Manning who broke the record."

Her thoughts were prompted by the Broncos' 24-17 playoff victory over the Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday.

John McCormick died of a heart attack in November.

McCormick's playing time with the Broncos was interrupted by a knee injury that caused him to miss the 1964 season. He came back and played for coach Mac Speedie in 1965 and for Speedie and Ray Malavasi in 1966. McCormick played briefly in 1968 for coach Lou Saban.

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